*****CHAPTER 15

MAE'S POV

"Shall I go on?" I asked her, and she nodded immediately. I stared at her even harder for a few seconds before speaking again.
 
"Option one" You receive your punishment for trying to steal by losing an arm. or, rather, two arms since you tried to steal from the Alpha himself. "You could lose your head too, since I am the Lycan King as well."
 
She shook her head, and more tears poured out of her eyes.
 
"No please…"  She reached for my cloak and held onto it tight in a plea.
 
"Option two."  I watched her pleading eyes for a moment before I continued again. "You work as a servant in the Alpha House for a year to pay for trying to steal from me." At least, you wouldn't have to give up any part of your body this time. "You are too pretty to have a missing organ, don't you think?"
 
She hung her head downcast again and wept into her hands. I could tell she regretted deeply what she had gotten herself into. I was sure that if she had one wish now, it would be to turn back the hands of the clock and never cross paths with me.
 
If only she knew I was trying to help her out of this pathetic and undeserving life she was living. But then again, everyone already concluded I was the deadliest Alpha in the entire country, and nothing good was ever expected from me. I was sure that was the same impression I had left on Mae too. But unlike the nonchalance I felt was the way others perceived me, it wasn't the same for Mae. I wished I could show her the littlest bit of goodness left in me. But as usual, I only ended up being viewed on the surface as an evil Alpha, and she would never understand I was doing her a favor with my proposal.
 
"I–I have a fam–family, my Lord…"  She sobbed and pleaded, but I only sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth and got up again.
 
"Fine then, I guess I would have to take you back to the market myself." The mob wouldn't hesitate to…"
 
"I'll do it." She immediately jumped in to save herself. Raising her gaze to meet me again, she wiped the tears off her face with the sleeves of her coat. "I will accept the second option and come serve in the Alpha quarters."
 
I watched her intently for a moment. Deep within my heart, I was relieved she had accepted the second option. Whether she hated me by now or not did not matter. All that mattered was that I was doing her a favor. At least, she wouldn't have the chance to commit any other crime on the street and risk her life again.
 
Again, I walked up to her and leaned before her again. As I stared into her eyes, I was tempted to cup her face in my hands and fix her rough, messy hair at the same time. But I stopped myself before I could do something stupid that would be a dead giveaway.
 
"Mae Barrow."  I called her name carefully and precisely. "I would be sending the palace guards to come fetch you before noon tomorrow." "If you try to act smart and escape, I will make sure your family pays for your foolishness."
 
Before getting up and walking out of her sight, I dipped my hand into my pocket and threw a few gold coins to her. "You can have it." "At least all your efforts and sufferings did not go in vain."

..............

MAE'S POV
 
It was already an hour before noon, and with every passing minute, I kept glancing at the wall clock in the living room. Even though I wanted to believe that the Alpha was playing mind games on me and did not mean any of the things he said yesterday about bringing me to serve in the castle as a servant, I could not entirely believe he was wrong. He looked like a man of his word and not someone who joked around the slightest bit.
 
I curse myself for crossing paths with someone like him. Of all the people I had to steal from, why did it have to be the Alpha? The cold, heartless Alpha made everyone afraid of the deadly man, who wouldn't think twice before placing a knife on the throat of anyone who tried to get in his way. The devil of an Alpha, whose face nobody had ever seen except for his mother, rumors had it that not even his Luna had seen his face. I confirmed the rumors yesterday. And even though his face was hidden from view, his eyes were already breathtaking, and I tried to imagine how handsome his features would be if he ever decided to start showing his face to the public. Again, I tried to think of a reason that could make him want to hide his identity so badly, but I could not come up with a reasonable one.
 
Last night, I stopped at the bridge again. I feared that the Alpha could carry on with his words, and that could be my last time visiting the bridge. The bridge stranger had dropped a letter for me as well, and as I read through it, tears filled my eyes as I thought that this might be the last time we might be exchanging letters for a very long time. The thought of losing my new friend and being all alone in a new environment was both overwhelming and scary at the same time.
 
Dear Mae,
 
I am glad you loved the bracelet. No, I am not a jeweler. But I enjoy making jewelry for fun. It's a hobby.
 
I have been quite busy at home. I had an interesting encounter with an old friend too. I wish I could meet her again soon.
 
I hope you are doing well too. How did your day go, today? Do reply to my letter on time. I cannot wait to hear from you, Mae. I miss you already, even though I have only just met you.
 
PS: You are the most beautiful woman in the entire pack. You shouldn't hide your beauty behind your darkness.
 
Love,
 
The stranger from the bridge.